#Japan #Tokyo #YUGEN Gallery #Tokyo art #YUGEN collections

Unveiling the 'Ever-Changing - YUGEN collections-'

The YUGEN Gallery, located in the heart of Tokyo's Minato ward, will host a remarkable collection exhibition titled "Ever-Changing -YUGEN collections-" from April 4 to April 24, 2026. This exhibition is curated by the owner, Hiroaki Hayashida, who has painstakingly gathered pieces through intuitive dialogue with artists over the years.

Brian Eno, a renowned musician and thinker, once described art as a simulator for our adaptation to change in his book, _What Art Can Do_. This statement encapsulates the essence of the exhibition; in a world filled with unpredictability, interacting with art stimulates intellectual and sensory processes, challenging established values and continuously renewing ourselves.

The heart of the exhibition is not merely nostalgic retrospective; rather, it juxtaposes artworks collected from the past with the contemporary expressions of the same artists, thereby presenting a multiplicity of the ‘now’. Here, viewers can explore layers of time woven with differences, repetitions, ruptures, and connections rather than a linear progression. Each piece does not exist in isolation but generates new meanings in the context of temporal disjunctions and responsive relationships.

The artists featured in this collection include:

• - Akiko / Hisashi Yamamoto: Deconstructing language and script, they challenge the very premise of meaning creation.
• - Mikio Hasui / Yushi Suga: They reconsider the relationship between what is visible and invisible through serene realism and lyricism.
• - Masahiro Masuda / Yoh Nagao: Their work reconstructs subjective experiences like memory and déjà vu, expanding the boundaries of perception.
• - Susumu Matsuura / EDO and YUMEKA: Engaging with the noise and excess of contemporary visual environments, they establish new rhythms.

These diverse pieces, filtered through the collector's gaze, embody different perspectives on what art can achieve. While distinct in their phases, the works converge on exploring how we perceive and embrace change.

This collection is not a mere archive of completed past records. Instead, it represents an endless simulation connecting the ongoing challenges artists face today with the future we engage with as observers. Hayashida’s discerning eye captures the trajectories of these artists, revealing their vigorous presence in the contemporary art scene. Through this exhibition, we hope to inspire visitors to cultivate new perspectives to navigate change effectively.

For more details about this exhibition, visit the official YUGEN Gallery website.

Exhibition Details

• - Title: Ever-Changing -YUGEN collections-
• - Dates: April 4, 2026 - April 24, 2026
• - Opening Hours: Weekdays 1 PM - 7 PM, Weekends/Holidays 1 PM - 8 PM
• - Last Day: Closes at 5 PM
• - Location: YUGEN Gallery, 4F KD Minami-Aoyama Building, 3-1-31 Minato, Tokyo
• - Entry Fee: Free

Artwork Purchase

Simultaneously with the exhibition, visitors can view and purchase artworks on the official YUGEN Gallery online store. Access each artist's collection through the links provided on the YUGEN website.

Artist Profiles

• - Akiko: A calligrapher focusing on deeper understanding through onomatopoeia.
• - EDO and YUMEKA: An art unit blending underground culture and traditional crafts.
• - Mikio Hasui: A photographer whose work spans portraits, fashion, and documentary.
• - Masahiro Masuda: An emerging artist reconstructing subjective experiences in his work.
• - Susumu Matsuura: Making prints that reflect human emotion and daily life.
• - Yushi Suga: An artist blending various painting techniques and recognized for his innovative style.
• - Hisashi Yamamoto: A calligrapher and artist known for integrating contemporary themes into traditional calligraphy.
• - Yoh Nagao: An artist exploring cultural exchange through collages that reflect his fieldwork experiences.

About YUGEN Gallery

Founded in February 2022, YUGEN Gallery specializes in contemporary Japanese art, operating from two locations in Tokyo and Fukuoka. The gallery aims to convey the many elements of Japanese art's unique aesthetic concept of 'YUGEN'—depth, elegance, and beauty. In addition to exhibitions, YUGEN Gallery also offers online art sales, ensuring access to art for audiences worldwide.